Water filter

ABSTRACT

A water filter is provided. The water filter includes a filtration material and a filter housing spaced for accommodating at least a portion of the filtration material therein. The water filter also includes a housing cap coupled to an upper end of the filter housing for enclosing the filtration material within the water filter. The housing cap includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a channel formed through the upper portion and the lower portion. The water filter also includes an interface adapter accommodated in the channel, wherein the interface adapter includes a side wall vertically extending from an upper surface of the interface adapter and partially around a perimeter of the upper surface, and a projection vertically extending from the upper surface, wherein the projection is integrally formed with the upper surface and a portion of the side wall.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to water filter assemblies andsystems, and more particularly, to a water filter cartridge, which maybe used with water filtering systems (e.g., a refrigerator waterfiltration system) to treat fluids and/or liquids (e.g., water) to bedispensed therefrom.

BACKGROUND

Water filtration systems, for example, refrigerator water filtrationsystems, have become popular as they assist to produce cleaner andbetter tasting water. Some of these water filtration systems typicallyuse water filters (e.g., a replaceable water filter cartridge) forfiltering any water dispensed therefrom. Traditional water filtercartridges are provided with a filtering media, for example, a block ofactivated carbon or other granular filtration media, within a casing ofthe water filter cartridge to enhance water filtration capability. Thesetraditional water filter cartridges also include water ports for feedingand dispensing water at least partially disposed in the casing with thefiltering media. The water filter's filtering media can adsorb or removecontaminants such as sand, rust, and cysts within the flow of waterprior to delivering water and/or ice to a user (e.g., via therefrigerator's water dispenser or ice maker).

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the filtration process, andspecifically, the flow path and flow rate of existing systems, the waterfiltering process is generally slow, which in some instances, maycompromise the water filters performance, for example, due to an oversaturation of the water filter with the filtered contaminates.

Accordingly, there is an unmet need for an improved water filter tofurther enhance water filtration by improving the filtering process flowrate and speed.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, a water filter for use with an appliance isprovided. The water filter includes a filtration material, and a filterhousing spaced for accommodating at least a portion of the filtrationmaterial therein. The filter also includes a housing cap coupled to anupper end of the filter housing for enclosing the filtration materialwithin the water filter. The housing cap includes an upper portion, alower portion, and a channel formed through the upper portion and thelower portion. The water filter also includes an interface adapteraccommodated in the channel. The interface adapter includes a side wallvertically extending from an upper surface of the interface adapter andpartially around a perimeter of the upper surface. The adapter alsoincludes a projection vertically extending from the upper surface. Theprojection is integrally formed with the upper surface and a portion ofthe side wall. The projection includes an opening to a water inlet pathfor receiving unfiltered water. A first portion of the projection on oneside of the opening has a length that is longer than a second portion ofthe projection.

In another exemplary embodiment, an interface adapter for a water filterassembly is provided. The interface adapter includes an upper surface atan upper end of the interface adapter. The adapter also includes afiltering media interface at a lower end of the interface adapter, andan intermediate portion between the upper end and the lower end. Theupper surface includes a side wall extending vertically therefrom and inan opposite direction from the lower end. The side wall extendspartially around a perimeter of the upper end. The upper surfaceincludes a projection extending vertically therefrom. The projectionalso extends from a portion of the side wall towards a gap definedbetween opposed ends of the side wall and includes an opening to aninlet extending therethrough. The portion of the projection extendingfrom the opening towards the gap is longer than a portion of theprojection extending from the opening to the side wall. A first end ofthe side wall is more proximate to the portion of the projectionextending towards the gap that a second end of the side wall oppositethe first end.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present disclosure will become betterunderstood with regard to the following description and accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of awater filter in accordance with the general inventive concepts;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of aninterface adapter for use in a water filter in accordance with thegeneral inventive concepts;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an upper portion of theexemplary interface adapter of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the exemplary interface adapter ofFIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the exemplary interface adapter of FIG.2 ;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an interfaceadapter for use in a water filter in accordance with the generalinventive concepts; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view showing an exemplary embodiment of afiltration media interface of the exemplary interface adapter of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The general inventive concepts will be understood more fully from thedetailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings ofthe various aspects and implementations of the disclosure. This shouldnot be taken to limit the general inventive concepts to the specificaspects or implementations, which are being provided for explanation andunderstanding only.

Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustratingexemplary embodiments of the general inventive concepts, and not forlimiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of animproved water filter assembly (also referred to as a water filter) 100.

The water filter 100 includes at least a filter housing 102 defining oneor more cavities or hollow spaces for at least partially receiving orenclosing filtration materials (also referred to as filtering media(known shown)) therein. The filter housing 102 may be unibody (i.e., asingle piece construction). In some embodiments, for example, as shownin FIG. 1 , the housing 102 may be formed from at least a housing body104 and a housing cap 106 which may be coupled to an upper end of thehousing body 104 to form an upper portion of the housing 102.

In some embodiments, the housing 102 or parts forming the housing (e.g.,the housing body 104 and/or housing cap 106) may be cylindrically shaped(not limited thereto) to define a space for accommodating the filteringmedia. The housing body 104 may have an upper opening portion forreceiving the filtering media. In some embodiments, the housing cap 106may define a space for accommodating a portion of the filtering media.

The filtering media may be formed in a cylindrical shape (or other shapearrangeable within the housing 102) having hollowed portions at a centerthereof in the vertical direction, for seating or otherwise arrangingthe filtering media within the housing and/or for at least partiallyreceiving portions of an interface adapter 200 (FIG. 2 ).

The filtering media that may be used with the water filter 100 mayinclude, for example, one or more blocks of activated carbon or agranular filtration media. However, it should be appreciated that otherfiltering media known in the art may be used with the water filter 100.In some embodiments, the filtering media may be fully enclosed withinthe housing 102 only when the housing cap 106 is coupled to the upperend of the housing body 104.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , an upper end of the water filter100 (e.g., at an upper portion of the housing cap 106) includes aninsertion portion 110, which may be operable configured to interfacewith one or more parts of a water purification system (e.g., arefrigerator filtration system). In some embodiments, one or moreO-rings 112 may be vertically arranged at the insertion portion 110 forproviding a seal when the water filter 100 is removably secured to thewater purification system.

In some embodiments, the water filter 100 may also include one or morecoupling guides 114 (two shown in FIG. 1 ) protruding from an outercircumferential surface of the housing cap 106 and proximate to theinsertion portion 110. In some embodiments, the coupling guides 114 maybe provided beneath the O-rings 112. It should be appreciated that thecoupling guides 114 may be provided for guiding and/or aligning portionsof the water filter 100 (e.g., the insertion portion 110) when removablysecuring the water filter 100 to the water purification system.

In some embodiments, the housing cap 106 may include one or moreextension guides 118 (two shown in FIG. 1 ) protruding from a surface ofthe housing cap 106. It should be appreciated that the pair of extensionguides 118 of FIG. 2 are arranged opposite each other on the housing cap106 and extend from the surface of the housing cap 106 a distance toprevent overtightening of the water filter 100 during installation. Itshould be appreciated that the extension guides 118 may be shaped tointerface with a corresponding part or surface of the water purificationsystem.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the water filter 100 includes aninterface adapter 200 at least partially installed in an accommodatingcavity (not shown) of the housing cap 106 at an upper part of thehousing 102. It should be appreciated, that portions of an interior (orinterior surface) of the housing cap 106 may be shaped or otherwiseadapted for at least partially receiving or otherwise accommodating theinterface adapter 200 therein and/or therebetween. It should also beappreciated, that as shown in FIG. 1 , an upper portion of the interfaceadapter 200 may be accessible via an opening 116 of the housing cap 106for interfacing with the water purification system.

In some embodiments, the interface adapter 200 may be a single piececonstruction. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface adapter 200may be formed from a plurality of parts having a same or a similarconstruct (e.g., materials).

The interface adapter 200 includes at least a first surface 202 at anupper end 204 of the interface adapter 200, a filtering media interface206 at a lower end 208 of the interface adapter, and an intermediateportion 210. In some embodiments, the first surface may include a sidewall 212 vertically extending therefrom (in a direction opposite thelower end 208), and partially around a perimeter of the upper end 204.In some embodiments, the partial side wall 212 may vertically extend atan edge of the first surface 202 such that the edge and the side wall's212 outer surface are flush. Additionally, or alternatively, the sidewall 212 may extend around the perimeter of the upper end 204 andproximate to the edge resulting in a shoulder being defined at the upperend 204.

In some embodiments, the interface adapter 200 includes a projection 214vertically extending from the first surface 202 and in the samedirection as the side wall 212. In some embodiments, the projection 214may be integrally formed with both the first surface 202 and portions ofthe side wall 212.

As shown in the FIGS. 2-6 , the projection 214 may include an opening216 to an inlet flow path (not shown) of the interface adapter 200. Insome embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the opening 216 maybe arranged or bored through the projection 214 such that portions ofthe projection 214 opposites the opening 216 have different lengths (L1and L2). In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the projection 214 length L2 islonger than length L1.

In some embodiments, the shorter length L1 portion of the projection 214is integral with both the first surface 202 and side wall 212.Additionally, or alternatively, the longer length L2 portion of theprojection 214 extends at least partially towards the outer perimeter ofthe upper end 204 and beyond at least a path of the inner and/or outercircumferential path of the side wall 212.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 , the long length L2portion of the projection 214 extends into a gapped area 218 betweenopposite ends (220, 222) of the side wall 212. In some embodiments, thelonger length L2 portion of the projection 214 is arranged closer to afirst end 220 of the side wall 212 than a second end 222 of the sidewall 212.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first surface202 may include a flange (or step portion) arranged or positioned in thegapped area 218 and between the ends (220, 222) of the side wall 212. Insome embodiments, the interface adapter 200 may include a recessed areaarranged or otherwise positioned between the upper end 204 andintermediate portion 210. It should be appreciated that the recessedarea may be provided for interfacing with at least one or more of a seal(not shown) or portions of the housing cap 106 for securing theinterface adapter 200 at least partially therein.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 , a height of the side wall 212 atthe first end 220 may be shorter than a height of the side wall 212 atthe second end 222. It should be appreciated that the height of the sidewall 212 may increase as the side wall 212 moves from the first end 220towards the second end 222. In some embodiments, a height of theprojection 214 may correspond to the height of the side wall at thesecond end 222. With continued reference to FIG. 4 , one or more of thefirst end 220 and/or second end 222 may be sloped such that an angledefined where each end (220, 222) meets the first surface 202 is ≥90°.

With continued reference to the figures, the interface adapter 200includes a water inlet (not shown) and a water outlet (not shown) forfacilitating the water filtering process. It should be appreciated thatunfiltered water from a water source may flow through the opening 216,which feeds the unfiltered water, via the water inlet, to the filteringmedia (or in some embodiments, a filtering chamber housing the filteringmedia) for removing impurities from the unfiltered water (i.e.,filtering the water) using the filtering media. The filtering media maybe a standard carbon filter or a membrane filter. However, it isunderstood that various types of filters may be used depending on therequired purifying performance. An outer diameter of the filtering mediamay be smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 102 and a spacefor flowing water between the housing 102 and the outer surface of thefiltering media may be formed.

In some embodiments, the interface adapter 200 may include a filteringmedia interface 206 for accommodating the upper end of the filteringmedia. The interface adapter 200 may further include an insertingportion 110 which extends from a central portion of the filtering mediainterface 206 in the lower direction and is inserted into the hollowportion of the filtering media of the filtering media. The interfaceadapter 200 may be disposed at the upper end of the filtering media andextend in the upper direction to form a passage connecting the inlet ofthe inserting portion 110 and the hollow portion of the filtering mediato each other.

In some embodiments, the interface adapter 200 may include an interfacestep portion 224 (FIG. 4 ) which projects from the upper surface of theinserting portion 110 in the upper direction. In some embodiments, theintermediate portion 210 may extend from a center of an upper surface ofthe interface step portion 224 toward the inside of the insertingportion 110.

Additionally, or alternatively, an inside portion of the insertingportion 110 may be formed having a hollow shape. A housing fasteningpart for being coupled with the interface adapter 200 may protrude froman inner side of the inserting portion 110. In some embodiments, theinterface adapter 200 may be accommodated in a second accommodatingspace in which the housing cap 106 is defined.

The interface adapter 200 may be coupled to the upper portion of thefiltering media and the inner surface of the housing cap 106,respectively. In some embodiments, when the interface adapter 200 andthe filtering media are coupled together, the filtering media interface206 may surround the upper surface and a circumference of the filteringmedia.

The Portions of the inserting portion 110 (e.g., an underside (notshown) of the inserting portion 110) may be inserted into the hollowportion of the filtering media such that it is in contact with an innersurface of the filtering media so that the interface adapter 200 iscapable of being fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the filteringmedia. The inside portion of the inserting portion 110 may be hollowsuch that it is capable of communicating with a filter outlet flow pathformed on the intermediate portion 210. Accordingly, the purified waterflowing into the hollow portion of the filtering media may pass throughthe inserting portion 110, the filter outlet flow path and filter outletport, and may be discharged through an opening of the inserting portion110.

The interface step portion 224 may protrude from the upper surface ofthe filtering media interface 206. The interface step portion 224 mayhave a smaller diameter than the filtering media interface 206. Theintermediate portion 210 may be located in the inserting portion 110when the housing cap 106 and the interface adapter 200 are coupledtogether. The inlet flow path and filter outlet flow path may be formedin the intermediate portion 210. Water supplied into the inside portionof the water filter 100, and discharged from the purified water from thewater filter 100 is capable of being performed through the intermediateportion 210. For example, a first filter inlet flow path extending in alower direction (not shown) may be formed on the opened upper surface ofthe intermediate portion 210.

In some embodiments, the interface step portion 224 may include a secondfilter inlet flow path passing across the interface step portion 224.The second filter inlet flow path may have an opening formed in acircumferential surface of the interface step portion 224 and extendingtoward the center of the interface step portion 224. The first filterinlet flow path and the second filter inlet flow path may be connectedto each other at a lower end of the intermediate portion 210 (i.e., atthe inside of the interface step portion 224). Accordingly, the waterwhich flows through the inserting portion 110 flows through the firstfilter inlet flow path of the intermediate portion 210 and then flowsalong the second filter inlet flow path which may be branched into bothsides at the lower end of the first filter inlet flow path to theoutside, and may be capable of being discharged through an opening ofthe circumference of the interface step portion 224. The waterdischarged through the filter inlet flow path flows may flow along thespace between the housing 102 and the filtering media.

Additionally, or alternatively, the intermediate portion 210 may includea first extending portion which extends from the upper surface of theinterface step portion 224 and a second extending portion which extendsfrom the first extending portion in the upper direction. The firstextending portion may have an outer diameter which is larger than theouter diameter of the second extending portion and a filter outlet portmay be formed on an upper side portion of the first extending portion.

In some embodiments, a recessed guide surface may be formed on an outersurface of the second extending portion of the upper side of the filteroutlet port-. The guide surface may be spaced apart from the filteroutlet port in the upper direction. Water may be guided to the outsideof the second extending portion by the guide surface for a moreeffective flow.

It is to be understood that the detailed description is intended to beillustrative, and not limiting to the embodiments described. Otherembodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon readingand understanding the above description. Moreover, in some instances,elements described with one embodiment may be readily adapted for usewith other embodiments. Therefore, the methods and systems describedherein are not limited to the specific details, the representativeembodiments, or the illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the general aspects of the presentdisclosure.

I claim:
 1. A water filter, comprising: a filtration material; a filterhousing spaced for accommodating at least a portion of the filtrationmaterial therein; a housing cap coupled to an upper end of the filterhousing for enclosing the filtration material within the water filter,wherein the housing cap includes an upper portion, a lower portion, anda channel formed through the upper portion and the lower portion; and aninterface adapter accommodated in the channel, wherein the interfaceadapter includes: a side wall vertically extending from an upper surfaceof the interface adapter and partially around a perimeter of the uppersurface; a projection vertically extending from the upper surface to aheight of the projection, wherein the projection is integrally formedwith the upper surface and a portion of the side wall, wherein anopening to a water inlet path for receiving unfiltered water is formedin the projection, and wherein a length of a first portion of theprojection is greater than a length of the second portion of theprojection.
 2. The water filter of claim 1, wherein a first end of theside wall is more proximate to the longer portion of the projection thana second end of the side wall.
 3. The water filter of claim 1, wherein aheight of the first end of the side wall is shorter than a height of thesecond end of the side wall.
 4. The water filter of claim 1, wherein theheight of the projection corresponds to a height of the second sidewall.
 5. The water filter of claim 1, wherein the projection extendsinto a gap between the first end of the side wall and the second end ofthe side wall.